Management Outcome of Glomus Tumors of the Hand in Misurata
Keywords:
Management Outcome: Glomus Tumors, MisurataAbstract
Glomus tumors are rare neoplasms arising from the subcutaneous glomus apparatus. They account for 1 – 5% of all soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity (1), occurring in the hand in 75% 2 and in the nail bed in 50 – 90% of cases. The aim of the study to document the clinical presentation of glomus tumors of fingers and evaluate the outcome of surgical excision in terms of relief of symptoms, any postoperative nail deformities and tumor recurrence over a period of one year. The study was conducted at Ghadour Medical Centre. Ethical committee approval and informed consent were obtained prior to the start of the study. Period of study was from June 2020 to October 2023. Total number of cases is 6, including 6 females and, 1 case is male. The VAS score for pain was recorded postoperatively at 2 weeks and 4 weeks and 6 weeks. All the patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively to rule out any recurrence at that point. There was a total of 6 patients with 5 (83.33 %) females and 1 (16.16 %) male. The age ranged from 27-62 years with a mean age of 41.17±13.7 years. There was involvement of the dominant hand in 4 (66.66%) patients, whereas the non-dominant hand was involved among 2 (33.33%) patients. At presentation, the mean VAS score was 9.33±0.65 (range of 8-10). At 2 weeks, it improved to 4.45±0.66 (range of 3-5), whereas at 4weeks it was further reduced to 2.59±1.90 (range of 2-4) and finally at 6 weeks and starting physiotherapy 0.59±0.87 (range of 0-3) . All the patients (n=17,100%) experienced complete symptomatic relief within 2-4 weeks. There was no recurrence over a period of 6 months. There were small postoperative nail deformities. As a small crack in 2 cases, otherwise normal. Diagnosis of glomus tumors of the fingers is generally easy when manifested with the classical clinical features and X-ray and ultrasonography is employed. Small tumors, asymptomatic or poorly symptomatic, and recurrent tumors can be difficult to diagnose. In these cases, advanced diagnostic examinations, as MRI should be used if it is available. Surgical excision of the tumor is curative, providing early relief of symptoms and eventual psychological or professional discomfort caused by the inability to use the hand freely.
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